The tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans define the largest biogeographic region in the world (the Indo-Pacific), and encompass the worldʼs greatest concentration of marine biodiversity at their junction, in the Coral Triangle. However, biodiversity throughout the region is currently threatened by a variety of human population pressures. Until now, the extraordinary size of this region has presented tremendous logistical, political and financial obstacles to individual researchers and laboratories attempting to study the marine biology of the region as a whole. Therefore we propose to bring together a group of scientists from around the Indo-Pacific region to initiate a collaborative research network that can cooperatively overcome these obstacles. The invited participants use genetic methods and models of ocean currents to understand the ecology and evolutionary history of species in the Indo-Pacific. Beyond the coordination of research efforts, this meeting and the resulting network will allow scientists from developed and developing nations in the region to discuss theoretical foundations and the ways in which science can inform the comprehensive management of marine species in the Indo-Pacific region.